Legislation passed by the Michigan House calls for increased penalties and tougher sentences for anyone who assaults courthouse workers.
Bills 4302, 4303 and 4304 all passed Tuesday with a 93-14 vote. They now head to the GOP-controlled Senate for further consideration.
Court personnel covered under the legislation include court reporters and defense attorneys.
The bills would increase maximum imprisonment from 10 years to 15 years for assaulting court personnel.
Republican state Rep. Kim LaSata from St. Joseph says, it's about protecting the people in the courthouses.
The legislation comes after an inmate facing life in prison killed two court bailiffs in a Berrien County courtroom last July.
Two people were arrested Tuesday after trying to bring a loaded handgun into a Berrien County courthouse.
